Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-06-02
Auspicious Memorial Services.
SUNDAY SERMONS.

taStlly ana SlSHlllCalltiJ aSSoi"S"
with flowers, war pictures, notices,
portraits OF Union officers, which
in silence denoted the occasion, while
the flowers made fragrant the fresh,
pure air OF the beautiful morning.
The Methodist choir rendered ex'
cellent and appropriate music. The
sermons delivered by Revs. Dickin.
son and Harris were so well recelv-
ed and pleasing to the 6. A. r. So
cieties that they requested their pub
LEGATION, with which THE REPUBLI-
CAN cheertully complies. That OF
Rev. Harris can only be given III
outline, for the reason that it was de-
livered without notes and cannot be
given verbatim.
OUTLINE OF REV. HARRIS SERMON.
TExr-Joshua 22d chapter, 4th and 9Th verses
These are the words ola great commander and sue
cessful statesman The conquest Of the land Of
Canaan by the Israclites had been accomplished;
the land had been divided among the thirteen tribes
the two tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe
of Msnasseh had received that part of the territory
which lay the east side Of the river Jordan. And
now they about to return across the river and
take possession OF their inheritance. The struggef
and dangers of war about to be given up for the
quiet avOcstons of peace The words Of the text are
Joshuas parting instructions to them. His desir"
ssens to be to impress upon the people the thought
that peace is fraught with danger to nations well
fare well war. 1t is truth which history
teaches that it is dicult to perpetuate nation
through long period Of peace than to save II in time
Of war Peace periods in the life of a nation are
favorable for the development of those forces that
tend to undermine national character, and loss OF
national character is disastrous TO national cNis
tence than the bloodshed and carnage Of war. Per,
sa Greece and Rome each in turn rose to heights oil
national splendor during what were pre-eminently
periods; but they went down under the enervat'
ing influences of peace.
1t was loss of national character that caused the
nyincible Greeks 10 euCcumb to Philip OF Mace
donia twas loss Of national character that caused
the Roman ligions to surrender to the Goths and
Vandas This is the testimony of their own histo'
Iians and orators.
The thought that would impress unon the friends
present is, "That while remember with pride and
gratitude the past, let not forget that tue present
has its difficulties and dangers
H"eternal vigilance is the price Of liberty in time
Of war, much more is it true in time Of peace. Let
be as loyal and yiglant In shieldin. the nation
against those influences which today sapping our
national character AS we were in defending thu
Union the battlefield, and our nation will abide.
The history of France gives us an illustration o
the influence which character has upon a nationt
life and welfare. How very unstable has been he
history. Now monarchy, now a republic, and nov
mob; and even today the Republic is so shaky tina
she does not feel safe until every prospective heir
the throne is driven from her territory.
The hope of nation lies in tho building up OF
strong pure, individual character, where men homo
God and exalt righteousness. 1t Is not only tn
voice Of divine inspiration but the testimony Of al
history that Righteousness cxalteh nation but sill
is 3 curse to any people" Though nation may har
all other elements of success and greatness, withOu
this she must fail Though she may have the grand
est navy that sailed upon the ocean, though sh
may have the best drilled armies that ever marche
forth to battle; though she may build cities that Il
splendor and beauty outshne the cities of antiquity
yet without national character the nation will SIM
into oblivion surely AS that day fades into nigh
Joshua realized this, and lac endeavors to impres
npon the tribes of Israel the need Of being true
God, obeyng his commandments, loving aud servin
him. The subsequent history Of Israel shows tn
wisdom of Joshua for as long as the Israetes obeye
the injunctOns of her leader she prosperous an
happy but when she turned away from the teach
ings of Gods law then came misfortune and ruiz
and she fell an easy prey to the surrounding enem,
Since national character gives strength and pei
petuity to nation, it follows that whatever helps
build up individual character is of priceless value
. state.
Bible 10 the effect II has upon the lives Of men
Wherever its influence touches men its tendency
20 make Them better. No man can stand long in til
presence OF the life and teachings OF Jesus Christ an
not thereby in some measure catch His own spirit
purity. love and service He who would have tn
highest ideal of pure and noble manhood will I'm
1t revealed in this Gospel. The influence OF jest
Christ upon the hearts and lives of men can not /
overestimated. five trace the history OF the Gosp
we ind that its tendency has ever been TO uptt an
purify society. Christ, when in the world, said: u
Be lifted up will draw all men unto me" What
means by this is that if lie were lifted up in th
world so that men could see the beauty Of His Iii
they would by the attractive power OF His characte
be drawn to Him. Christ is the worlds great magne
attracting the hearts of men and breathing into the
lives His own spirit of loyalty to truth and rghteOu
ness.
We might quote from the leading historians Of Il
world to prove these assertions, but time will nj
permit. We call attention to the testimony OF Gel
sral Grant when he says: "uOld fast to the Bible
the sheet anchor of our liberties; write its precep
On your hearts, and practice them in you lives.
the influence Of this book we are indebted for Il
progress made in trne civilization, and 10 this "
must look guide tor the future Also, Il
testimony of George Bancroft, the greatest Of Anne
lean historians, who says: Certainly onf gre
united commonwealth is the child Of Christianity.
II may with equal truth be assested that modern CT
ization sprung into life with religion-and fail
in its principles is the life-boat on which human
has at diverse times escaped the most thrcateni1
psriis" Let us then, as we value liberties, "
prize christian homes and character, cling to til
gospel Of Christ, for therein is national safety al
prosperity.
Soldiers Of the Grand Army of the Republic, a wo
to you: When at the call Of duty and the COUNT
you went forth and barred your breast to letden hs
when you stood a living wall in defense Of the n
fion, you did we'll. But today greater responsible
ties rest upon you. God has committed to you gre
trust for you TO perpetuate the nation that yo
valor saved. As you did not fail then may you IL
fail now. My prayer is that you may live such hy
sfpurity and fidelity to God that when you shall ia
before the great enemy and your grave is cover
with garlands of beauty, you shall have the col
seiousness of having left behind you influences f
Goa and humanity that shall be as fadelsss as Il
stars. II you will but be OF faith and pray
fhen with hand clasping the hand Of dvir
providence. the other holding the helm Of the Ssh
Of state and eye upon the star of destiny, shs
sail out into deeper and wider seas toward grand
future and our Republic, dear to your hearts, sha
Kingdom Eternal.